Philippines security tight amid swirling rumors of a coup

February 24, 2006

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- The military stepped up security early Friday amid concerns of a possible coup attempt against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon claimed the coup was unraveling. His chief of staff, Gen. Generoso Senga, reported army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, head of the elite scout rangers, had been arrested and marine Col. Ariel Querubin was being sought. "The chain of command is working," Esperon said in a television interview, appealing to the public to report any unusual troop movements in Manila. Senga said a majority in the military will remain loyal to the constitution and the democratically elected government. "We have reduced the threat," he said. "We cannot say that it has been stopped." Arroyo was briefed on the situation. "Of course she's concerned," Senga said. "Like a shepherd with her flock, she would not want any part of it to go astray." Extra barbed wire and shipping containers were set up on roads leading to Malacanang, the presidential palace, and checkpoints appeared around the capital. Media were barred from the main military headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo, and an armored personnel carrier sat outside the marines' camp with a truckload of marines in full battle gear nearby. Schools were ordered to suspend classes for the day. Police said all permits were canceled for rallies at the shrine to the "people power" revolt that forced dictator Ferdinand Marcos to flee into exile 20 years ago Saturday. Police already were on red alert nationwide as widespread reports of a coup plot have circulated for more than a week in the media and by cell phone text messages; even elementary school students were discussing it in detail.